§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I wish to ask the noble Earl the 1879 Leader of the House a Question of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether he has any intelligence from Sir Peter Lumsden as to the present position of the Russian outposts with respect to the Afghan Border; and whether he has any reason to expect an early advance of those outposts?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am not surprised at the Question of the noble Marquess, because the subject is one of the very greatest importance. According to the latest Reports received from Sir Peter Lumsden, the Russian outposts have occupied the Zulfikar Pass, about 20 miles to the South of Pul-i-Khatun, Akrobat, between Zulfikar and the River Khushk, and Sari-Yazi. A post of Yulatan Turcomans has also been stationed at Pul-i-Khisti, a few miles North of Penjdeh, byOolonel Alikhanoff, who, after placing them, has retired, presumably to Sari-Yazi. Representations are being made to the Russian Government earnestly pressing them to give stringent orders to their Military Commanders to refrain from any further forward movements which would bring about a collision between the Afghan and Russian outposts. The Russian Government, in reply to a remonstrance from Her Majesty's Government, declined on the 24th instant to withdraw from their advanced posts at Sari-Yazi and the Zulfikar Pass, but gave assurances that their officers had been ordered carefully to avoid conflicts with the Afghans, and that complications were only to be feared in the event of the Afghans attacking the Russian posts. Sir Peter Lumsden, who has exerted himself to prevent any collision, has advised the Afghans to maintain themselves in the positions now occupied by them. This advice has been approved by Her Majesty's Government; and he has been instructed to urge them, at the same time, not to advance beyond their present positions. Negotiations are proceeding with the Russian Government.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYAre these places named by the noble Earl as occupied by Russian outposts within, or are they outside what is accepted by England as the Afghan boundary?
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYThe noble Marquess will see that the ques- 1880 tion of the precise boundary is exactly the question concerning which negotiations are going on. It is therefore impossible for me, while the negotiations are going on, to say what are the precise limits of the Afghan boundaries; but I have no hesitation in saying that these places are within those portions of the territory which Her Majesty's Government have regarded as within the Afghan boundaries.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI will only ask if there is a possibility of Papers being laid upon the Table?
§ EARL GRANVILLEreplied in the affirmative.
LORD ELLENBOROUGHAre we to understand that there has been a considerable advance of the Russians in the direction of Herat?
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYIf the noble Lord will look at the map he will see that there has been a very considerable advance in the direction of Herat.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNMay I ask whether the best map that is available will be placed in the House for the convenience of noble Lords? The intimation made by the noble Earl is very important, and it would be very interesting to know the exact localities which the movement affects.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYI will inquire and see what can be done in order to meet the wishes of your Lordships.
THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANAre we to understand that the whole question of peace or war between Russia and Afghanistan, and therefore between England and Russia, depends upon a chance squabble between Afghan and Russian outposts?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI must ask the noble Marquess to form his own opinion on this matter.